The best retirement villages in the UK

Finding the best retirement villages in the UK

There are many accommodation options for older adults, from care homes to assisted living to home care, and one other option for those who still have most of their independence is a retirement village. Here, we are exploring the benefits of retirement villages, the best rated retirement villages in the UK based on location, how to choose the ideal option for you or your loved one, how families can support an older relative with a move to a retirement village, and how home care could provide additional support. At Home Instead, our aim is to help people age positively and in place by bringing expert care to their home. For nearly 20 years, we have been providing the highest standard of care, and creating industry-leading training programmes for our Care Professionals that are accredited by nursing and medical professionals. Today, we are the world’s largest global domiciliary care network, supporting over 100,000 older adults with personalised, tailored care at home. So whatever questions you have about retirement villages, we can help.

What are the top rated retirement villages in the UK? 

The criteria for the best retirement villages in the UK depends entirely on an individual’s needs, location and preferences, but according to 2024 research from Compare the Market, the top 10 locations to retire in the UK are:

1. Nottingham
2. Norwich
3. Edinburgh
4. Manchester
5. Leicester
6. Preston
7. Kingston upon Hull
8. Blackpool 
9. Liverpool 
10. Reading

Here’s some of the best rated retirement villages in each of these locations across the country:

Lark Hill Retirement Village, Nottingham 

This countryside retirement village caters to general retirement living, as well as helping those who need more specialised care, such as dementia care. Onsite, you will find 327 one and two bedroom residences, all designed for the safety and comfort of older adults, and meals can also be provided as part of the service, covering a range of dietary needs. When you retire at Lark Hill, you can benefit from onsite care, communal spaces for socialising, active spaces, and various hobby activities to engage in within their greenhouse, library, woodwork room and more. Their dementia and mental wellbeing centre makes this an excellent choice for older adults in the early stages of dementia, but it is estimated over 80% of Lark Hill residents have no care needs, so if you are simply looking for an accessible property with plenty of opportunities to socialise, this could be a great fit for you. At the time of writing, Lark Hill is rated 4.8 stars on Google, and one resident said: “What I love about being here is you get to be there for people, you are a part of them. People know you here. My partner Gary stands on the balcony every night looking out and goes, ‘How did we get a place like this?’ He’s so happy here, he just loves it, and he can’t wait to retire.” (via extracareorg.uk) You can find out more about Lark Hill Retirement Village here. 

The Limes, Norwich

The Limes sits around 9 miles east of Norwich, and is close to the beautiful Norfolk Broads, making it an idyllic place for older people to retire. At The Limes, part of Guild Retirement Living, the self-contained apartments enable older adults to live independently, while also providing bright communal spaces, guest suites for visitors, a dining area, landscaped gardens for walks and relaxation, and care available if needed.The community is within the village of Acle, so there is easy access to facilities like the local post office, shops, bank, health centre, community centre, dentist, local church and more. At the time of writing, Guild Retirement Living is rated 5 stars on Google, with one user writing: “Everyone went out of their way to help mum join the community, even in the weeks prior to her actual move. The Housekeeping Manager, to single one person out, was completely focused on providing a bespoke service for each owner. With mum, this made a significant difference throughout…”You can find out more about The Limes here. 

The Hailes, Haddington (Edinburgh)

Located around 30 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh (the number 3 location for retirees), The Hailes can be found in the market town of Haddington, not far from the coast. The development by McCarthy Stone is in a town that offers lovely opportunities to walk by the River Tyne, and shops, cafes and restaurants nearby, giving you plenty to do outside of the retirement village if you wish.The Hailes itself is designed with the over 60s in mind, with 49 apartments (one and two bedroom available), onsite staff, and a 5 star Google rating (at the time of writing) that makes it a popular choice. There is also a 24-hour emergency line that can be activated by a personal pendant alarm, a communal residents lounge for socialising with neighbours, optional weekly organised coffee mornings, landscaped gardens, a guest suite, and a beautiful mezzanine sun room.You can find out more about The Hailes here. 

Ford Lodge, Handforth (Manchester) 

Located in the town of Handforth, around 30 minutes’ drive outside of Manchester, Ford Lodge offers a quieter escape from the busy city that is perfectly suited to retirees. There are 39 one and two bedroom apartments specifically designed for older people, landscaped gardens, a courtyard, and a communal lounge where you can meet fellow residents. Being so close to the Peak District, this is a great location for those who enjoy a day out doing outdoorsy activities, and the community itself organises a calendar of social events to make life at Ford Lodge enjoyable and lively. Residents will also find nearby shops, restaurants and leisure facilities a stone’s throw away, plus a train station to get into Manchester for the day – there is a lot to entertain yourself in retirement near Ford Lodge. You can find out more about Ford Lodge here. 

Pilgrim Gardens, Leicester 

Pilgrim Gardens can be found in the village of Evington in Leicester, and was created for older people who practice the Christian faith. The 31 one and two bedroom apartments offer a safe, comfortable space to retire, and plentiful wellness activities, social events and worship opportunities keep older adults busy and engaged.Pilgrim Gardens has been providing excellent care in the area since 2013, and the team organises regular outings within the local community so residents can socialise and get out and about. The purpose-built apartments include underfloor heating and built-in cupboards, and are accessible throughout. True to its name, Pilgrim Gardens also has beautiful garden areas to enjoy. At the time of writing, Pilgrim Gardens has a 5 star Google rating, with one user describing it as a “wonderful, warm Christian community”. You can find out more about Pilgrim Gardens here. 

The Sidings, Lytham (Preston) 

Located around 25 minutes’ drive from Preston in the town of Lytham, The Sidings is a  collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments designed for those over 55 years old. Apartments include a balcony or patio to enjoy some fresh air, ensuite shower rooms, onsite care if needed, plenty of natural light and storage space, and a 24-hour emergency call system for a dedicated onsite team. There are also amenities such as a restaurant, communal lounge, activities studio, therapy suite, hairdresser, cinema room, mobility scooter storage, guest suites and landscaped gardens. One resident of The Sidings said: “I’m more socially active here than I have been for a long time. I’d become totally isolated and an old curmudgeon! I remember my sister saying to me when I’d only been here for two or three weeks, she said: ‘you’re a totally different person’ and my daughter said the same.”You can find out more about The Sidings here. 

Cecil Gardens, Kingston Upon Hull 

Cecil Gardens offers retirement living that’s safe, secure and comfortable. With one and two bedroom apartments on offer and 24-hour emergency care available, residents have everything they need to live independently, while also enjoying the benefits of having a dedicated events manager onsite, regular activities arranged to stay active and meet others, and nutritious meals provided.There is a communal lounge and dining room, garden, community centre, hobby and activity room, cafe, hairdresser, library, wellbeing suite, and more – everything needed to maintain an excellent quality of life in retirement. Cecil Gardens has a 4.3 star rating on Google at the time of writing, and one user commented: “Visit my mum who lives here. Nice and clean. The staff I’ve met have been nice and friendly. My mum is happy there.”You can find out more about Cecil Gardens here. 

Crocus Court, Blackpool

Blackpool is a popular British retirement spot, so if this has always been your dream, Crocus Court (another McCarthy Stone property) is certainly worth considering. The retirement village is designed for those over 70 years old, and includes beautifully decorated, purpose-built apartments with access to a bistro, a social lounge area to meet other residents, plenty of organised events, and communal gardens. There is onsite care if needed, cleaning and housekeeping, a nearby bus stop for trips into town, and a 24-hour emergency call system. The guest suite is helpful for when friends or family come to visit, and the property is pet friendly, so you can bring your best friend with you. At the time of writing, Crocus Court is rated 4.7 stars on Google, with one resident writing: “Expensive to buy, service charges are high, but apartments [are] lovely and onsite [facilities] are great for our older generation who need an extra helping hand.”You can find out more about Crocus Court here. 

MHA Fulwood Court, Liverpool 

MHA Fulwood Court is a dedicated retirement village for older adults who want to live independently but still have access to help if they need it. The spacious one and two bedroom apartments provide a lovely personal space, while the larger community offers many social activities, healthy meals, scenic surrounding landscapes, and more. MHA Fulwood Court has a 5 star rating on Google at the time of writing, and one user wrote about the many amenities available: “On arrival I was met by one of the care staff… [who] explained to me in great detail of the day to day living at fulwood court and all the amenities and care which was available. The atmosphere was very welcoming and staff very attentive. [They] guided me through the communal areas and made me aware of the activities which [included] bingo, cheese and wine evenings, outings, gym, social dance evenings and even a bistro on site which serves lunch and evening two course meals. I was greatly impressed and would highly recommend fulwood court.”You can find out more about MHA Fulwood Court here.

Thamesfield Village, Reading

Located around 30 minutes’ drive outside of busy Reading, Thamesfield Village is a tranquil escape in the countryside, where older adults will love spending their later years. With landscaped gardens set right beside the River Thames, the area is stunning and perfect for a stroll to get regular fresh air. It is also located close to Henley-on-Thames; a great town to have a look around the shops and visit a cafe. Thamesfield Village has a 5 star Google rating at the time of writing, and offers one or two bedroom apartments surrounding a converted Victorian country house that serves as the communal area of the village. On the grounds, you can find landscaped gardens and a croquet lawn.One resident said: “Thamesfield is a very quiet and peaceful venue in which to be able to relax in comfort” (via retirementvillages.co.uk) You can find out more about Thamesfield Village here.

How can families help older loved ones find the best retirement village? 

Selecting a retirement village is a big decision for an older person, so families should do what they can to help while they visit villages and weigh up their options. While your older relative should be in charge of the decision, it is also important you feel the fit is right, as you will likely be visiting regularly.It helps to sit down and have a proper discussion about what your loved one needs and desires from a retirement village, so you are all on the same page and can research together. From there, they may need your help with elements of the process, such as checking online reviews to find out the reputation of local retirement villages, taking them to visit some and get your opinion, and looking at their finances together to determine what might be within their budget. When you visit, it can help to ask questions such as:

• What mobility support is available?
• What safety measures are in place? (such as pull-cords in each room)
• What happens in case of emergencies?
• What medical support is available on site?
• What additional support can be given if an older person’s care needs progress?

One key factor is usually ensuring they will not need to be moved in future unless absolutely necessary. Remember, your loved one may also need emotional support as they make this difficult decision, and if they need to move all of their belongings to a new location, which can be stressful. Try to support them as much as you can by organising moving companies if needed, helping them plan ahead, and making sure their most precious possessions are well looked after during the move.

How can home care support older adults who move to a retirement village? 

Home care services can be helpful as an additional support during and after moving to a retirement village if there is limited on-site care provided. By enlisting the help of a private home care organisation like Home Instead, you can ensure you have everything you need in your new retirement village, including mobility support, companionship, housekeeping services, specialist care, and more.The personalised assistance offered from our Care Professionals can help older people moving to retirement villages to maintain their independence, remain social within their community, continue to look after beloved pets, and more. We can offer a bespoke package of services to fit your needs, such as: 

• Personal care (help with bathing, dressing and more)
• Meal preparation and cooking 
• Companionship to reduce loneliness and manage mental health 
• Specialist care for health conditions like diabetes or dementia 
• Medication management and health monitoring
• Transportation to GP appointments and other errands 
• Facilitating social engagement and hobbies to promote wellbeing

Our care packages are flexible to fit around any existing care offered within your retirement village, and can adapt if your needs change over time. If you or a loved one is moving to a retirement village, our friendly, supportive Care Professionals can help by providing additional support for a stress-free relocation. From general companionship and mobility care to complex care and home help, whatever support you need, you can reach out to your local Home Instead office to discuss your options.We’re an award-winning home care provider and part of a worldwide organisation devoted to providing the highest-quality relationship-led care for older people in their own homes. Arranging care for yourself or your loved one shouldn’t be stressful, so whatever questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to the Home Instead team to discuss your needs.